t all, for then
it would have been in the track of the streams of lava. The lava comes
down through the valleys."

"I can see the zigzag road leading up to the Hermitage," said Rosie.

"Yes," replied Rollo; "and I think it probable we could see people going
up or coming down, if there were any there now."

"I mean to watch," said Rosie.

Rosie watched, but she did not see any thing moving. The truth was, that
the people who had been up that day had all come down. They usually come
down early in the afternoon. And yet parties sometimes make arrangements
to stay up there until after dark, so as to see the glow of the fires
that are continually smouldering in the chasms and crevices of the
crater, and sometimes breaking out there.

Mrs. Gray was so much pleased with Rosie's report of what she saw on the
roof, that she went up herself immediately after Rosie came down. Mr.
George went up too. As for Josie, he staid up there all the time.

When Mrs. Gray and Mr. George reached the first platform, Josie called
to them. "Mother," said he, "come up here!"

"No," said Mrs. Gray; "this is high enough for me. I can see very well
here."

Mrs. Gray was very much interested in the view of the mountain, and of
the column of smoke issuing from the summit. She had not seen the summit
before, as all the upper part of the mountain had been enveloped in
clouds during the time while they were approaching the town.

She was also much pleased with the view of Naples itself, which she
obtained from this platform. The hotel was built out over the water, so
that from the lookout the town was spread out in full view, with all the
great castles and towers which crowned the cliffs and headlands above,
and the various moles, and piers, and fortresses, that extended out into
the water below.

In coming up the iron stair, on the outside of the building, Mrs. Gray
had been a little afraid; but in coming down she found the steps so firm
and solid under her tread that she said she should not be afraid at all
a second time.

"Then, mother," said Rosie, "let us come up here this evening after
dark, and then on the top of the mountain, instead of smoke coming out,
we shall see fire."

"Shall we, Rollo?" asked Mrs. Gray.

"I believe so," said Rollo. "At any rate they do sometimes see fire
coming out; and I don't know why we should not to-night."

It was finally agreed that after it became dark, Rollo and Josie should
go up alone first, to s